TORAH.ORG The Structure Of The Seder: V’Nomar L’Fanav Shirah Hadashah Pesach By Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

GOALS AND METHODOLOGY OF THE LEIL HASEDER A: “SEDER” “Seder”, as everyone knows, means “order” – what a strange name for a feast! Why is this meal different from all other meals, in that it is called an “order”?; Rambam’s wording may prove enlightening. In Hilkhot Hametz uMatza, 8:1, (after having detailed all of the laws of Hametz, Matza, telling the story, drinking the four cups etc.), Rambam introduces the meal as follows: Seder Asiyyat Mitzvot Eilu b’Leil Hamisha ‘Asar Kakh Hu: – “The order of performing these [above-mentioned] Mitzvot on the night of the 15th (of Nissan) is as follows:” In other words, “Seder” refers to a particular order in which we perform a series of (otherwise) independent Mitzvot. Why, indeed, are these Mitzvot placed in any order – and why in the order which we identify with Leil haSeder(Seder evening)?